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chicken missing

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by sarahed, Jul 24, 2013.

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  1. Jul 24, 2013 #1
    sarahed

    sarahed Hatching

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    Jul 24, 2013
    We have three free range chickens we got in April. The coop is not ready for them to lay eggs. Yesterday I noticed at night when I went to lock up their coop that only one chicken was inside and the other two were still out huddled together. Next day we let all three chickens out and three hours later only find two. Of course I have considered the fact that a predator got to the chic but also thought maybe she went off to lay her eggs. Would she leave the flock and if so how long would she sit on them unfertilized? Or could she have been sick and the rest of the flock kicked her out?
     
  2. Jul 24, 2013 #2
    redsoxs

    redsoxs Crowing

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    Jul 17, 2011
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    I would lay my money on predator or that she's sitting on a nest. Did you see sign of her getting taken? Blood or feathers?
     
  3. Jul 25, 2013 #3
    RWise

    RWise Songster 5 Years

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    One of my pullets hides her nest, and you have 10 days to find it or she is setting! I have a hen that is setting on what I think are dead eggs, if no chicks in the next few days I will remove her from them as I think they are already to old (forgot to mark it).

    Search all hiding places for her, you may find her! Also they will come off the nest to eat, poo ect 2 or 3 times a day and be all puffy. If you can spot her off the nest, just watch and she will lead you to it.
     
  4. Jul 29, 2013 #4
    sarahed

    sarahed Hatching

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    Jul 24, 2013
    thank you for your reply! She came back that night! We are working on the coop so she'll lay eggs in instead of out.
     

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